Painting on the Isle of Skye, Scotland with Niki Gulley

5" x 7" oil painting by Niki Gulley • Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Next on our Scotland visit, we crossed over to the Isle of Skye. Some of the geologic formations there were so unusual, they seemed out of this world. Having hiked up to the Old Man of Storr the previous day in cold, rainy conditions,  I decided to stay at the base on our 2nd trip and paint the jagged mountain. Meanwhile, Scott hiked another hour uphill to capture this awe-inspiring view in between showers. 

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Eilean Donan Castle oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

SOLD • 5" x 7" oil painting by Niki Gulley • Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

After my husband, Scott Williams, and I finished teaching our painting and photography workshop in Ireland, we flew to Scotland to paint, photograph and complete the research for a future Art Trek in Edinburgh and Isle of Skye. We absolutely love Scotland! The wide open countryside, beautiful ocean views, amazing skies that change constantly, the pristine light, castles everywhere, the warmth of the people, and sometimes other-worldly landscapes are truly fascinating and inspiring. Our first stop after the busy city of Edinburgh was to visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle in the highlands. Perched on an island connected to land by a stone bridge surrounded by the Scottish Highlands, the structure is so beautiful that it is one of the most photographed places in Scotland. While Scott was shooting, I set up my easel to capture the scene on a 5x7 canvas. 

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Painting Ireland's Dingle Peninsula with Niki Gulley

7" x 5" oil painting by Niki Gulley

After teaching our Ireland Art Trek, my husband and I stayed a couple of extra days on the Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. That day I chose to pull in tight on my composition of these jagged rocks and the waves crashing against them. Having fun creating the uneven textures with the palette knife, I hope you can feel the sound of the water rises and falling as it rushes against the cliffs.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 7, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Ross Castle, Killarney

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last afternoon of our Ireland Art Trek, we visited Ross Castle. While the photographers explored the castle and grounds, the painters set up their easels to capture this majestic view of the castle and lake. Although we didn't have enough time to finish, you can get idea of the overall scene and the fast moving clouds with a tiny patch of blue sky poking through. Afterwards, we enjoyed a peaceful boat tour of the lake and came back to our home base, to share our photos and paintings of our trip. What a great way to end a wonderful Art Trek with new friends!

Painting at Ross Castle.

Finishing up our Art Trek by sharing our paintings and photographs from the trip.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 7, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Morning location: Muckross House, Killarney

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the 7th day of Ireland Art Trek, we visited the magnificent Muckross House and Gardens, a mansion built in the 1800s. With acres of woodland, gardens and lakeside views, the photographers and tourists explored while us painters set up our easels in front of the manor house and colorful formal gardens. A challenging scene to capture with so much going on, we did our best to set the scene on our 9x12 canvases.

Our photographers and tourists going for a carriage ride on the Muckross estate.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Dingle Peninsula & Killarney Castle

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the 6th afternoon of Ireland Art Trek, we continued to paint on the castle grounds while the photographers and tourists finished exploring the Dingle Peninsula. I chose to paint the castle's guest house because I love how it was nestled back in the woods, feeling so nostalgic of a visit to grandma's in the country. The massive unusual pine trees were so awe-inspiring that I used them to frame the right half of the scene, leading your eye down the path to the yellow house safely tucked in amongst the lush foliage. A soft light would appear off and on, illuminating the scene and creating that unique Irish light. That evening we all reconnected and dined again on another delicious dinner in town.

Dining in the castle bar.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 6, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6:  Ireland ART TREK
Morning location: Dingle Peninsula & Killarney Castle

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The next day of our Ireland Art Trek, the photographers and tourists ventured out to tour the Dingle Peninsula with its craggy coves, cute fishing villages and spectacular ocean views, stopping at castles,  Dingle town, waterfalls and various landmarks along the way. My painters wanted to stay at our castle grounds and paint right where we were lodging because the scenery was so beautiful. For our morning location, we set up our easels in the castle's garden. The brilliance of the various greens was so intense that I had to capture that along with this romantic gazebo beckoning you to sit down and enjoy the view.

Our photographers and tourists visiting the Dingle Peninsula.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 5, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 5:  Ireland ART TREK
Killarney
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we left for Killarney, making a pit stop in the adorable thatch-roofed town of Adare. After exploring and grabbing lunch, we drove onto our lodging for the next few nights, a 16th century castle, fit for a king! Dinner was also delicious that evening in the castle's dining room.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 4, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 4:  Ireland ART TREK
Cliffs of Moher

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we explored the exotic Cliffs of Moher. Unfortunately, we received some of that Irish sunshine and only got in a quick glimpse before the sideways rain and wind got the best of us. Since the afternoon was washed out, too, we decided to paint our impressions back at the hotel. Several of the tourists went into town to shop and sightsee, and the photographers gathered around the fireplace to receive a lesson on Photoshop and Lightroom. It turned out to be a great day! That night we dined again on a delicious seafood dinner at a cozy garden restaurant nearby.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 3, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3:  Ireland ART TREK
Galway

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After spending the first two days of our Ireland Art Trek in Dublin, we moved onto the happening city of Galway next. After a quick bite, us painters set up our easels along the "Long Walk" to capture the colorful houses along the cove while the photographers and tourists explored downtown and joined us later that afternoon. While we managed to stay dry, you can see from the painting that we had very dramatic skies and moody colors! A fun challenge to capture after coming from sunny Dallas, TX. That evening we checked into our hotel near the Cliffs of Moher and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious gourmet dinner that night.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Day 1 and 2, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Day 2:  Ireland ART TREK
Trinity College, Dublin

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first day of our Ireland Art Trek, we arrived in Dublin and got acquainted with the bustling city. After a good night's sleep, we spent the next morning painting and exploring the grounds of Trinity College. The photographers shot inside the library and around campus while we set up our easels in this quiet courtyard. The architecture was fascinating, and I loved this wooden bench beckoning passers by to sit down and take in the sights. That afternoon we gave everyone free time to explore, photograph, shop, etc. and that evening we all reconnected for a traditional delicious Irish dinner of Guiness stew, fish and chips and various pies.

Exploring the Temple Bar neighborhood in Dublin.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

SOLD • "Dappled Light," New Orleans ©2017 Niki Gulley • 9" x 12" oil painting 

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1: Fabourg Marigny

Just Sold! On the first day or our New Orleans Art Trek, I took the painters to the far end of the French Quarter to capture some of the beautiful architecture and wrought iron balconies so typical of the city while Scott led the photographers throughout the Quarter looking for the perfect shot. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was a perfect sunny 70 degrees with barely a breeze – ideal painting conditions! We breaked for lunch on delicious crab cakes, salads and sandwiches and returned that afternoon to our morning location to finish our work.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don't wait!

Tuscany - Sept. 2017

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy - Sept. 2017

New England Fall Foliage - Oct. 2017

 Spain - May 2018

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

"45mph" Winter Landscape Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“45 mph” ©2017 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 18” x 24” textured oil painting

Just sold! On one of our first trips together, my husband and I drove to Colorado to capture the fall foliage, and were greeted by one of the earliest snowfalls on record. While not the golden aspen glory we expected, the pristine white of that first dusting was beautiful. I loved this scenic overlook as we rounded the corner, and as you can see there was no shoulder to pull over on to capture the scene. So quickly grabbing my camera, I snapped away as we whizzed past. In this shot, I particularly liked a sliver of the school-bus-yellow 45mph sign contrasting against the vivid azure sky and framing the right side of the composition to lead your eye back into the breathtaking drive.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Dreams Ahead" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Dreams Ahead" ©2017 by Niki Gulley

 30" x 40" original textured oil painting

Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting this aspen forest. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks reaching towards the sky, add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New "Fall Jamboree" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Fall Jamboree" ©2017 by Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 24" original textured oil painting

Just Sold! Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting this aspen forest. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks reaching towards the sky, add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New "Autumn Serenade" Palette Knife Fall Foliage Painting by Niki Gulley

"Autumn Serenade"  ©2017 Niki Gulley

36" x 48" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen, Oak and the forest of trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, scarlet and tangerine, with each light breeze. There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, slender trunks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors. Staccato strokes and shimmering hues add to the feeling of change in the air and suggest the breeze whistling through the foliage.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my textured aspen and birch tree paintings.

Painting and Photographing Sunset in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Oia Sunset" © 2017 Niki  Gulley • Greece Art Trek:  Oia, Santorini

SOLD • 7" x 5" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! I painted this small oil on location in Santorini during our Greece Art Trek. Since we only had about 15 minutes to capture the actual sun setting, we had to sketch the scene in advance, anticipate how the light might look, and pre-mix our golden colors. Then as the sun was dropping, we quickly had to paint those warm reflected lights on the buildings and the water and the golden glow in the sky. While challenging, it was a lot of fun and such a beautiful setting to paint! Capping the evening off, we had a delicious dinner in town at the most picturesque garden restaurant and relived the highlights of the day.

Our photographers staking out their spots to shoot sunset.

Dinner that night.

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, check out ArtTreks.org for details.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Aqua Rhythms" Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

"Aqua Rhythms" ©2017 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of water to uplift your spirits. Painted on location, I hope you can feel the tides lapping on the shore and hear the rhythmic, soothing sounds of the waves cresting and falling. Whenever I visit the seashore I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I've translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

"True Blue" Palette Knife Oil Painting from Santorini, Greece by Niki Gulley

"True Blue"©2017 Niki Gulley

10" x 8" oil painting  • SOLD

Just Sold! On our Art Trek to Greece, we chose to paint this iconic view of Santorini with the white orthodox church crowned by its blue dome, overlooking the ocean. The photographers dropped us off, as they continued back to Oia to shoot some more. While the scenery seemed simple, it proved challenging to paint the round dome on top of a hexagon base, and the three men removing the bells from the tower kept interrupting our scene (which we chose not to paint into the composition), but overall it was a beautiful morning and we were pretty happy with the results!

That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, we hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!

On top of the volcano with Santorini in the background.

If you are interested in joining us on a future art trek, check out ArtTreks.org for details about upcoming trips.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail - Niki Gulley